Det Con Rachael North, from Central police station, said: "People sometimes do not think about the type of things that thieves will steal. Many offenders are opportunistic and will break into a car for as little as 10p.

"Leaving items such as laptops and satellite navigation systems on display is offering them to criminals on a plate.

"It only takes seconds for an offender to smash a window and be gone, often causing the victim hours of inconvenience and upset."